1946 Ford 1-1/2 ton. Need help

[Fordfan65]

I looked at a 46 ford 1-1/2 ton at a boat repair shop. It's been sitting hidden away and I asked the owner if he'd sell it and he says yes but he doesn't know the value. I'm not sure either. I noticed these problems,

It's been off the rd since 1996
It needs a gas tank
It needs body work
May need all the tires
Needs the wood in the bed replaced
Not sure if it'll turn over but I'll have to go back and ask.

What should I ask for this truck without being disrespectful and ask too much less?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

What is scrap now, about $0.30 a ton IIRC? If you are worried about hurt feel bads at that price just don't offer IMO.

At the newest the tires are 20 years old, and they could have been 20 years old the last time it was on the road. Consider them shot.

Here is my adventures getting a fencerow tractor going that had a loose engine. My plan was a carb kit and a tune up and it would run. It is still sitting in parts (although it does run quite well now, nothing has gone near as smooth as I planned)

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162028

 

[Fordfan65]

So I should just ask $4-500

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

.30 a ton? ...misprint? Last time I went in It was $35.00 a ton. Take a good look and see what parts there are that are good, ad those up and offer half of the worth. So doors, fenders, hood, box, running gear, misc smalls. Without seeing it, 3-400 sounds OK. 2-300 is better.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Scrap is pretty stinking low whatever it is. I might have been mixed it up by pound (which I realize is a huge difference)

Scrap places around me are shutting down over it though.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Another way to look at the price of a project; What does it cost to buy new? All of a sudden that $20,000.00 that you sink into a project doesn't look so bad. Your investment will stay the same or might appreciate while a new truck loses money from day one. And if you're quibling over $1-200 at the start then you might want to look at your finances before taking on a project of this magnitude.

I'm biased towards the old trucks, I drove a 54 chev one ton as a work truck for ~10 years. I'm currently driving a 77 f250 as a work truck now. The newest truck I've ever driven regularly has been 10 years old. I just don't think that new is worth my money.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Push come to shove rat rod guys would eat up a solid cab...

 

[hoosier1104]

Depending on the the condition over all, rat rod it up. Value of a truck that old is very subjective on personal opinions and the region of the country you are in. Do some market research and go from there.

That is the best advice I can give you.

 

[adsm08]

Last time I checked scrap here on the Eastern Sea Board, back in December, it was $3.25/100lb.

But yeah, something that old, that has sat for 20 years, scrap value is the ONLY starting point.

 

[Fordfan65]

Well I like to make old things back to original and I hate to see old things at the junkyard or turned into a rat rod. If I get it I'd like to restore it to the way it was in 1946.

 

[Fordfan65]

I'm on New England so I'm not sure of the value of them around here but I've looked it up and out west they have running trucks that are basically road worthy for $700- $1800 in original condition and a restored 1-1/2 ton is around $12,000-$20,000.

 

[Fordfan65]

 

[Fordfan65]

I posted a picture of it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It has a nice patina to it, I would put new tires on it, get it running and get the lights working and drive it as is.

 

[Fordfan65]

That's what I was thinking too and then after a while re paint it.
The cool part about it I noticed is that the engine is a flathead v-8 and it has a 4 speed transmission with a 2 speed rear end. So I think the shifting is like, 1st low, 1st high, 2nd low, 2 high, 3 low, 3 high and then 4 low, 4 high.
I'm not sure though.

It also has what looks like maybe a 50-60 gallon round saddle style gas tank instead of a tank on the back of the cab behind the seat like most old trucks are but I didn't notice a tank behind the seat.